The wind whispered across the ruins of a forgotten village as Kael, wounded and barely conscious, stared at the firelight dancing on the wooden hut's walls. An old woman sat beside him, humming a soft lullaby while dabbing his forehead with a cloth.
Kael slowly opened his eyes.
"Who... who are you? Why did you save me?" he asked, voice raspy.
The woman smiled gently. "You are the successor of the Second Descendant's power. That's reason enough."
Kael's brows furrowed. "What are you talking about?"
Without answering, the woman poured a glowing liquid into a bowl. As steam rose from it, an ethereal image began to form on the ceiling above them.
"Your ancestors," she began, "were once the most loyal to the Second Light Descendant... his name was Mason."
Kael's breath hitched.
"When Mason died under mysterious circumstances, your great-grandfather was accused of stealing his power. That very same power… the Susanoo. Your family turned against him. They burned him alive."
Kael stared at the visions dancing on the ceiling — images of fire, betrayal, screams, and one man standing in the center of it all, wielding a fiery Susanoo.
"The Susanoo vanished into the skies… lost for generations," the old woman continued. "Until you were born."
Kael's voice trembled. "Then... the Susanoo chose me?"
"Yes. I was the one who helped deliver you into this world. I saw the flame enter your body with my own eyes. I never told a soul — not even your family. If anyone knew a Kedel bloodline carried the Susanoo again... they'd kill you."
Kael stared into the glowing bowl, watching the flames fade into black.
"I also know the truth behind your family's murder."
His eyes widened. "You mean that night...? I saw the Light's guards... they—"
"They weren't who they said they were," she interrupted. "You saw the wrong enemy. Someone wanted to erase the Kedel name forever."
Kael's fists clenched.
"But how do you know all this? How are you even still alive?" he asked.
The woman gave a cryptic smile. "I'm older than you can imagine. I've lived through the rise and fall of every Descendant. I've seen the war begin with my own eyes... but the truth of how I'm still alive? That's a story for another time."
Before Kael could respond, she vanished.
Gone. As if the wind carried her away.
Kael slowly stood, his body aching but his resolve burning stronger than ever.
"I need to know the truth," he whispered, tightening his fist.
---
Meanwhile, in Biringan…
The city was calm. Rebuilding. Healing.
Luz stood on the edge of a small field, arms crossed, watching Aris and Chan chase each other through the grass, laughing. Elena walked up beside him, her eyes curious.
"Why are you out here?" she asked.
"Nothing," Luz said softly. "Just watching these two."
A faint smile tugged at his lips, but it didn't reach his eyes.
They reminded him too much of the past.
Of himself and Den.
Back when everything was simple — before power, before betrayal, before war.
"Hey, miss!" Aris suddenly shouted. "Are you Luz's girlfriend?!"
Elena's face turned red. Luz glanced away, flustered.
"A-Alright, that's enough," he called out. "Go home, you two. You already know where your house is — the army's told you like ten times."
The two boys laughed and raced toward their home, shouting and pushing each other.
Elena chuckled. "They're lively."
Luz nodded. "I just hope their bond never ends up like mine and Den's…"
The sun began to set, casting golden light over the city. Biringan was safe — for now.
But the past still lingered.
And to face the future, Luz knew he had to understand how it all began..